Rising Alpha

2

There should be some type of scanning at birth and if you have aggressive genes, then your d**k should be cut off. Luckily, she'll be able to heal faster than the normal shifter since she's pregnant, but who's to say it won't be worse next time. "How could someone treat their mate like this? Everyone says a mate is made to worship them, not beat them."

"That's only for fated mates." She wipes the moisture from her cheek, even though there is still a trail she misses that runs beside her nose. "He is definitely not mine. Not even my wolf can stand him."

Fated mates nowadays are few and far between. A long time ago, people searched the various packs for their one true love, at times going to different countries until they found their other half. But as our wolf population grew, fated mates got harder and harder to find as more and more packs formed. Some we don't even know about, so the hope of finding your exact match has gone by the wayside. Now it's all about finding someone who can make you stronger, or at least it is for the men. "What do you want me to do?"

Her eyes jerk up to look at mine and her mouth partly opens. "Nothing. I guess I was hoping we could become friends. After all, your future mate is my mate's best friend."

Shit, this is getting too real. I like Alison, don't get me wrong, but I hate to have this in common with her. "Yeah, sure." There are two other people heading this way. Hell, I came to find peace, not talk to everyone. If I had wanted company, I would have stayed back in the village.

Two of the younger women in the village stumble out. They are both around twenty and their clothes are torn and mascara streaks down their face. The one on the right stumbles forward and pulls at the ends of her hair. "I'm so sorry to intrude, but we need your help."

Alison glances at them and back at me. "Maybe I should go. I need to get ready for tonight anyway." She forces a grin and rubs her hand over her belly. "Let me know if you need help with anything." She turns and scurries away.

How I wish that could be me right now. I don't know what these girls are going to say to me, but I already know I don't want to hear it. For some reason, I'm pretty sure it deals with Kevin. "How am I

supposed to help you?"

"Your mate..." She glances at the river refusing to meet my eyes.

"He's not my mate yet." I already know where this is going and it's hard to keep from gagging. No one deserves to be treated like this.

"Well, yeah, but we think you should know." The other girl steps toward me and cringes. "He had a bachelor party and called for us..."

They want me to protect them, but how the hell am I supposed to? This is my future as well. I'd give anything to be an alpha, but women aren't strong enough for that position. We'd be overtaken by a male at some point; others have tried.

A branch breaks and the all-too-familiar gait and overwhelming stench of body odor and tobacco engulfs me.

Both women become silent and glance at the creek as if it's the most fascinating landmark they've ever seen.

Why is he looking for me now? Can't he let me have some time to myself before the ceremony?

Kevin's shoulder-length black hair glistens in the sun, and, when he sees the two younger girls, he arches an eyebrow causing the scar across his right eye to stretch. His tone is cold and dismissive. "What are you two doing here?"

The first girl who spoke picks at the bottom of her red tank top. "Oh, nothing. We just wanted to congratulate Savannah before tonight."

"Yes, and tell her best wishes." The other girl grabs her friend’s hand and tugs her back to the village. "We were just going."

Once they’re out of sight, Kevin turns his dark eyes on me. "Did they say anything to you?"

Like I'm going to tell him anything. "Nope, they had just shown up when you appeared." Hmm, is that why he's out here? "I'm about to head back home. Did you need me for anything?"

"Oh, I always need you. In fact, I can't wait until I have you tonight." His lips spread into a grin and he reaches out to touch me.

How I want to step away, but that will just make everything worse. His strong hand squeezes my arm just a little too hard, but I refuse to show any weakness. I force myself not to wince or show any discomfort. "Don't you need to get ready?"

"Shouldn't I be saying that to you? Why don't we walk back together?" He tugs me toward him and we begin our trek back. "I was out with the other men getting everything ready for the ceremony when

I kept seeing women head out in your direction."

Great, he's already been watching me. Why am I not surprised? He's always kept tabs on me, but never tracked the women who spoke to me. Figures today that would change. Am I going to have to justify everyone I talk to going forward? That's what he’ll probably make me do.

"Hey." He turns me so I face him and grins. "I think it's great. They are already respecting their alpha's future mate, but I want to remind you that you can't make any decisions without my approval. You might be the female’s version of an alpha, but you will not run this pack." His dark eyes are filled with warning.

It's funny, because I expected this conversation. He has to make sure I know who’s in charge. How did I get away from one god-awful man just to find another one exactly like him? My original alpha had his eyes set on me for a mate just like Kevin. He came and demanded my hand, but both my parents refused. They wanted a mate that would treat me with respect, not hate. The alpha killed them both right in front of my eyes and then tried to force me to perform the mating ceremony with him. Little did he know, I had a knife in my pocket. He didn't get very far though, because I stabbed him in the chest and ran.

Before Kevin found me, I was a rogue wolf and let's just say, it didn't agree with me. When Kevin stumbled upon me, I was desperate for a new pack and for an alpha who cared. Little did I know I would be getting the exact same from him. Maybe I should have stayed with the old alpha. At least then, my parents might still be alive.